Abdullah Anderson

Abdullah Anderson's Biography

Abdullah Malik Anderson Jr. emerged from the humble beginnings of Atlantic City, New Jersey as a professional football player who today plays defensive end for the Tennessee Titans in the National Football League (NFL). Born on January 24, 1996, Anderson grew up in the neighboring Galloway Township attended Absegami High School. His parents, Abdullah Anderson Sr. and Octavia Anderson, raised him with his older sister Amira.

Anderson’s senior year at high school proved to be a pivotal point in his burgeoning football career. Initially set to become a college basketball player, Anderson decided to play football for his senior year after discussing it with Braves coach Dennis Scuderi Jr. His decision paid off as Anderson had an impressive season, large enough to grab Bucknell University coach Joe Susan’s attention.

At Bucknell, Anderson majored in Economics while noticeably honing his skills on the football pitch. He worked diligently to manage his body and weight, transitioning from a high-schooler of 235 pounds to a college player weighing 300 pounds. His freshman year at Bucknell was impressive as Anderson started all 11 games at the defensive tackle, being one among five defensive players with this record and also the lone freshman.

Anderson continued to display this impressive feat for the second straight year in 2015, sharing the field with only five other defensive starters in all games. This season saw him bag a total of 46 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and three pass breakups. He put up an admirable performance in 2016, his junior season, exhibiting strength and skill on the defensive line in all 11 games. His spectacular performance did not go unnoticed as the Patriot League named him the Defensive Player of the Week on November 21.

As a senior, Anderson was named the 2017 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year and NCAA FCS Collegiate Player of the Year by the Brooks-Irvine Memorial Football Club. His college career ended with 43 starts, in which he had 171 tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, and a school-record four blocked kicks.

In 2018, after vigorous workouts with the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, Anderson signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent. He battled to stay on top of the competition when he was waived on September 11, moved to the practice squad, then promoted back onto the active roster. On October 20, 2019, Anderson recorded his first career NFL sack on Teddy Bridgewater in the Bears’ game against the New Orleans Saints.

After spending three seasons with the Bears, Anderson moved to the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad in 2020, elevated to the active roster for the Lions game, and finally signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in April 2021. His tenure with the Steelers was short, and he signed with the Packers later in August 2021.

In August 2022, Anderson found a more stable home with the Atlanta Falcons, playing in 16 games until he signed with the Washington Commanders in March 2023. Anderson continued playing an active game, being signed and released periodically, before he finally returned to the Tennessee Titans in August 2024.

Today, Anderson continues his professional journey in football, building a legacy laden with strength, determination, and resilience. His career is not just a testament to all he has achieved but serves as a beacon of inspiration to everyone aspiring to make it big on the football pitch. Lastly, Anderson’s cousin Austin Johnson, currently playing for the Buffalo Bills, proves that football runs strong in their family.